Studies have shown that children who watch a lot of
television do not typically read above grade level.
In the United States, more than three out of ten
children watch television at least 35 hours per week.
In other western countries, less than one child out of
ten watches that much television. In contrast, these
other children perform much better than American
children on reading tests and more often read above
grade level. A majority of these non American
children read above their school grade level; a
smaller percentage of American children read above
grade level. In order to read as well as children in
other western countries, American children will
have to reduce the amount of time they spend
watching television.
The passage depends upon which one of the following
assumptions?
(A) American children are not as interested in
reading well as children in other western
countries.
(B) Other children are more structured in their
studies than children in the United States.
(C) If a child wants to become a better reader, he
or she will not watch as much television.
(D) If a child watches less television, his or her
reading level will increase.
(E) The methods American teachers and parents
use to teach reading are not significantly
worse than the methods used by teachers and
parents in other western countries.